On the grand hall's main floor, a dozen Dao Source Realm powerhouses formed a formation array, instantly sealing Yang Kai, Chi Yue, and Chai Hu in place so that not one of them could move.
Luo Jin threw his head back and laughed, sweeping his gaze around the hall with an expression of smug satisfaction. He called out in a booming voice: "Which friend here would be willing to help this Seat kill this brat? This Seat would be endlessly grateful!"
He had no intention of lifting a finger himself. It wasn't that he feared Yang Kai's strength—he simply couldn't be bothered. Rather, he wanted to use this method to salvage some face and solidify his standing.
Sure enough, the moment he finished speaking, someone cupped their fists and volunteered: "Mu Zheng of the White Cloud Tower is willing to lend the City Lord a hand."
Another man stepped forward, cupping his fists. "Guo Zhe of the Heart-Questioning Pavilion stands ready to follow orders."
A third man emerged as well, declaring: "This scoundrel is shameless and despicable, spreading lies to bewitch the masses. Yuan Mo of the Soul-Seizing Sword Sect cannot stand by and watch—I will take his head as a warning to others!"
In a rush, seven or eight people stood up, representing seven or eight different factions, all pledging their loyalty to Luo Jin in this manner.
The gloom that had been weighing on Luo Jin's mood finally lifted somewhat. He nodded with a smile. "Good. I'll trouble you all, then."
The group responded in unison: "Rest assured, City Lord—we will not disappoint you."
As soon as those words left their mouths, every one of them turned around and fixed Yang Kai with predatory grins.
Although Yang Kai had put on a somewhat impressive display earlier, he was now trapped by the formation laid down by the City Lord's Manor warriors, completely unable to move. He was nothing more than a slab of meat on a chopping board—kill him however they pleased.
Mu Zheng of the White Cloud Tower suddenly smiled and said: "Everyone, if we gang up on him like this, it won't sound good if word gets out. Besides, there are so many honored guests present—even if we win, it would be an inglorious victory."
Guo Zhe asked: "Then according to Brother Mu, what would you suggest?"
The others looked on with curiosity, unsure of what he was getting at.
Mu Zheng smiled faintly. "What I mean is, one person should step forward, and the rest of our friends stand by in support. What do you say?"
Hearing this, everyone smiled knowingly. They understood his implication and nodded in agreement. "Brother Mu speaks wisely."
Mu Zheng said: "Then… who should take the field?"
Yuan Mo of the Soul-Seizing Sword Sect replied: "Since it was Brother Mu's proposal, Brother Mu should be the one to step forward."
The others had no objections. After all, they had already made their move at this critical moment and shown their loyalty to the City Lord. Who exactly killed Yang Kai was no longer important—it was a dead man walking regardless. What difference did it make who struck the blow?
Mu Zheng looked as though this was exactly what he had hoped for. He nodded with a smile. "Since everyone agrees, I, Mu, will not stand on ceremony."
As he spoke, the corner of his mouth curled upward, and he cast a contemptuous glance at Yang Kai, wearing the look of a man who had already won, as he strode unhurriedly in Yang Kai's direction.
"Yang Kai!" Chi Yue's face tensed with anxiety. She drove her Source Power desperately, trying to break through the restraints holding her body, but no matter how hard she tried, the bonds would not yield. Her face had gone pale with worry. "If you can get away, go! Don't worry about me—so long as the mountains endure, there'll always be wood to burn."
Chai Hu added: "That's right, little brother. Just remember to avenge us later."
"Hahaha! In this state, and you still think you can run?" Mu Zheng let out a mocking laugh and turned to Chi Yue. "Don't worry, Madam. I am always very measured in my attacks. I wouldn't accidentally harm you."
Even now, he did not forget to curry favor with Luo Jin.
Luo Jin, standing not far away, heard this and nodded with satisfaction.
"You think someone of your caliber can kill me?" Yang Kai stood where he was, perfectly at ease, watching Mu Zheng approach step by step with a faint smile on his lips.
That smile landed in Mu Zheng's eyes and sent a jolt through his heart. A sense of unease began to spread through his chest. His composure shattered in an instant, and gritting his teeth, he bellowed with false bravado: "Death is upon you, and still you're this brazen! Watch closely, brat—see how I take your wretched life!"
With that roar, he suddenly drew a massive broad blade. As his Source Power surged, the blade gleared with brilliant light, afterimages multiplying in a dazzling display of radiance, and he slashed down toward Yang Kai's head.
He clearly had no intention of dragging things out—he wanted a quick kill, so he went all out from the very first strike.
And that single attack enveloped both Yang Kai and Chai Hu within its scope while deliberately excluding Chi Yue. He had clearly read Luo Jin's thoughts—leave the newlywed bride unharmed, and kill everyone else.
Seeing the blade's glow bearing down on him, a cold light flashed in Yang Kai's eyes. He said in an icy voice: "A mere first-level Dao Source Realm insect dares to act this insolent before me?"
The instant the words left his mouth, his figure flickered, and he vanished from where he stood—as if the formation array's binding power had absolutely no effect on him. The force of space surged around him, and he appeared directly in front of Mu Zheng. His fingers came together like a blade, the Indestructible Five Elements Sword Qi coiling around their tips, and he thrust straight at his opponent.
"What?!" Mu Zheng's face went sheet-white with shock, his expression drained of all color. He could scarcely believe what he was seeing.
He was only a first-level Dao Source Realm cultivator. If not for the fact that he had seen Yang Kai restrained by the formation, given how ferocious Yang Kai had been earlier, would he have dared to go near the tiger on his own?
But now the situation had changed in an instant. Yang Kai had broken free of the formation, and Mu Zheng's soul nearly fled from his body in terror. He trembled all over, and the strike launched from his Artifact instantly lost all its momentum.